Alex Bealer Blacksmith Association

Where is the April Meeting ?

ARE we having an April meeting?

I received the following email from Jim Guy:

"I was finaly able to get ahold of Tony. It does not look like an April meeting will happen. May is Madison, and he has June through November firmed up. He just couldn't get a commitment for April."

Looks like someone needs to step up to the plate. In Tony's defense, he has too much going on in his life to run the guild. Isn't there someone here who could commit to running ABBA? Cancelling two, and almost the third, in 5 months, should not be acceptable to those who enjoy blacksmithing. I've done my duty, someone else step up.
And thanks Tony for all you HAVE done, seriously.

I thought we were meeting at the Tully Smith House this month because last month was double booked and they promised this month to us. As I don't have a shop yet I can't quite hold a meeting or else I would volunteer.
What about the needs of ABBA for Madison? Perhaps a signup sheet and a wish list could be posted on the web so we can get the volunteers and equipment we need for Madison. Having never been I don't know the ins and outs of the conference.

I appreciate your concerns and understand your grievances:
I am frustrated that no one has stepped up as VP to assist me. I am frustrated that the same few people are volunteering for hosting meetings, not near enough to fill the calendar. Several people/locations that have hosted in the past are not hosting or cannot be contacted with current information on hand. The same 8-9 people are the only ones that help in general. On top of this I am going through some serious personal and business difficulties that are consuming most of my time.
I have no one to host this months meeting, no one has volunteered. In lieu of a meeting, Jim Guy and I will be working on the ring project and leaves for the Madison conference at his shop. Anyone that wants to come and help or make a leaf is welcome to attend. Anytime after 9:30 April 21, 2007. So far only 3 people (the same ones) have assisted with this project.
Those of you that have assisted: I appreciate your help; I am not referring to you. Please understand that my experience has been positive with ABBA and I have enjoyed serving. However, I cannot continue as an officer after Madison; I will remain active and will continue to help as much as I am able.
This is the tentative meeting schedule:
April 21 Madison Ring and leaf project workshop. There will be at least two forges and three anvils to work on leaves for SBA Madison Conference.

May 19 Regular meeting at the Madison Conference. Remember that we will be running the green coal classes. I need volunteers to show beginners how to make S hooks, drawing out, bending, etc. We are ALL qualified to do this.

June 16 Stephen Fowler. I have asked Steve to do a Knive forging and heat treating demo. Forge item is a knife, letter opener or any sharp pointy thing.

July 21 Linda Holmes Rubin. Demo to be determined. Forge item is a flower, leaf, cattail, etc.

August 18 Lloyd Hendricks. Demo to be determined. Forge item is Homemade preserves, coat hook or hat hook.

September 15 Open, to be announced. Forge item is a candle holder, candle snuffer or light fixture.

October 20 Dan Tull Demo to be announced. Forge item Wild Card (anything forged).

November 17 Open

December 15 Christmas Banquet, location to be determined.

Tony

Like Tony said, a couple of us are getting together at my shop just to work. Everyone is invited. Do you have your leaf for Madison? This will be a good opportunity to make one for it!

Directions
From Atlanta: Take I-20 East. Exit right at the Ga 20/Hwy 138 Conyers exit. Turn right onto Oglesby Bridge Rd. (~ 6 miles from I-20). Continue on Oglesby Bridge Rd. past Hwy 212. Turn left onto Thrasher Rd. (the second road on the left after Hwy 212, ~ 3/4 of a mile from Hwy 212). Turn left onto Turnstone (Thrasher "T"s into Turnstone). Turn left onto Tanager (Turnstone "T"s into Tanager). 5341 is the fifth house on the right (counting the house across from Turnstone)
From Stockbridge: Take Hwy 138 towards Conyers. Turn right onto Union Church Rd (the first road after passing Hwy 155). Turn left onto Oglesby Bridge Rd (the last road before Union Church crosses into Henry County, ~ 4 miles from Hwy 138). Turn right onto Thrasher Rd. (the first road on the right after Union Church Rd, ~ 1.8 miles from Union Church). Turn left onto Turnstone (Thrasher "T"s into Turnstone). Turn left onto Tanager (Turnstone "T"s into Tanager). 5341 is the fifth house on the right (counting the house across from Turnstone)
Address: 5341 Tanager Terrace, Conyers, Ga. 30094. Phone: 770-922-8786

Jim Guy